New Jersey gas tax will raise prices by 23 cents per gallon

New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney watches as a transportation trust fund bill is passed Friday that would raise the state's gas tax from 14.5 cents to 37.5 cents per gallon.

(Mel Evans/AP)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Saturday, October 8, 2016, 10:44 AM

Gas in New Jersey is about to get more expensive after lawmakers voted Friday to raise the tax by 23 cents per gallon to pay for the state’s expired transportation trust fund.

If Republican Gov. Chris Christie approves the bill, which he is expected to, it would make New Jersey’s gas tax the sixth-highest in the nation, up from 49th before. It would still remain lower than the gas tax in New York and Pennsylvania, though.

The measure would go into effect Nov. 1 or 15 days after Christie signs it, whichever is later.

The bill — raising the tax from 14.5 cents per gallon while cutting the sales and estate taxes — passed in the Democrat-led Assembly and Senate despite robust bipartisan opposition from lawmakers and many residents.

“This is the most dangerous bill that has ever been presented, certainly since the 39 years that I’ve been here,” said Democratic state Sen. Ray Lesniak, who opposed the measure.

Gov. Christie is expected to sign the bill into law.

(Mitsu Yasukawa/The Record via AP)

But it also had major support from business and labor groups, including the Chamber of Commerce. Most significantly, it had the backing of Christie, Democratic Senate President Steve Sweeney and Democratic Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto. They announced the deal together at a news conference last week.

“When you get in these jobs, you have to do what’s right. You can’t just say no,” Sweeney said.

The transportation trust fund expired three months ago, and Christie ordered the shutdown of transportation projects.